Description
A flavorful and healthy dish featuring tender garlic herb chicken paired with zesty lemon orzo. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a family gathering.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for orzo)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- In an oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- While the chicken bakes, cook the orzo according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping any brown bits from the skillet to incorporate the flavor.
- Stir in the cooked orzo and mix until fully combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve the chicken on top of the lemon orzo and garnish with grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to the right internal temperature to avoid dryness.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the chicken to a baking dish after searing.
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken for an hour or overnight with the garlic and herbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with orzo
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 75mg